A short story which serves as an excellent introduction to Juliet E. McKenna's bestselling fantasy novels, 'The Wizard's Coming' was originally published in the short story anthology 'The Solaris Book of New Fantasy'. Discover the fallout from the events in 'The Wizard's Coming' in McKenna's brand new epic fantasy series, 'The Hadrumal Crisis', which will begin with the release of 'Dangerous Waters' in August 2011.

The Archmage rules the island of wizards, enforcing a ban on the use of magecraft in warfare. But there is a rumour of rogue wizardry abroad, its adepts not subject to the Archmage's edicts. The Emperor of Tormalin is offering them his protection while corsairs are raiding the coasts and merchants are begging for magical aid. The world of Lescar faces a terrifying change and epoch defying adventure. The Archmage rules the island of wizards. From here he enforces the Edicts of the Council of Wizardry. Foremost is the ban on magecraft in warfare. But there is a rumour of rogue wizardry in Lescar's recent civil war. There's the rise of Artifice, its adepts not subject to the Archmage's edicts. Now the Emperor of Tormalin is offering them his protection. There are corsairs raiding the Caladhrian Coast, enslaving villagers and devastating trade. Barons and merchants beg for magical aid. But all help has been refused. This is no comfort to Lady Zurenne whose husband has been murdered by corsairs. Now a man she doesn't even know stands as guardian over her and her daughters. Corrain, former captain and now slave, knows that man is a rogue wizard, selling his skills to the corsairs. If Corrain can escape, he'll see justice done. Unless Jilseth, magewoman and Archmage's confidante, can catch the renegade first, before the full extent of his villainy is revealed. If that happens, at a time when wizardry faces so many other challenges, the scandal could have dire consequences indeed! Dangerous Waters is the first book in a stunning new fantasy series from a major voice in fantasy.

In Halferan, Captain Corrain is hailed as a hero; but he knows all praise would turn to anger if the Caladhrians knew the truth. The wizard who supposedly saved them has merely claimed the corsair island for his own, and no one knows what his next move will be. Corrain has good reason to fear the worst, as he confides in Lady Zurenne. He knows he can trust her, now that still more perilous secrets bind them together. This disastrous turn of events cannot be concealed from Hadrumal's mages. Surely the Archmage will enforce his authority by crushing this upstart mage? Unless the Aldabreshin warlords act first. Will they be content to drive this solitary wizard out of the Archipelago, or has the time come for them to destroy all magic?

Archmage Planir and the wizards of Hadrumal have demonstrated their devastating powers and the corsair threat is no more. The mainland rulers’ relief is overshadowed with fear of one day facing such a threat to their own dominion. Will Tormalin’s Emperor make an alliance with Solura’s wizards who so openly covet Hadrumal’s secrets? Will he seek out that other mysterious magic, Artifice, to counter Planir’s magecraft? How will the aloof Aetheric adepts of the mountains answer such an appeal? Aldabreshin warlords have always forbidden wizardry. Now the Archmage has encroached so unforgivably on their domains, their laws demand a wizard’s shed blood to wash away the taint and the Aldabreshi have countless men and ships for such a quest. With many of the Wizard Council disputing Planir’s chosen course, he must look beyond the island city for allies. To Suthyfer, the controversial haven for mageborn far away in the Eastern Ocean. To Caladhria, where Corrain, Baron Halferan and Lady Zurenne believe they have finally won respite from all their trials. But absence of strife is hardly peace. The lull before winter’s storms descend from the distant northern peaks will be a short one.